Analysis of MRI findings in minimum invasive treatment for habitual temporomandibular joint dislocation by autologous blood injection around the temporomandibular joint capsule

The aim of this study was to investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings following autologous blood injection (ABI) for habitual temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation. MRI was performed one hour and four and twelve weeks after ABI, revealing three types of significant findings. The first type was similar to hematoma and/or joint effusion in the articular capsule of the TMJ (type I). The second showed sporadic and diffuse T2 emphasis around the TMJ capsule (type II). The third involved a decreased range of condyle movement compared to before ABI (type III). Furthermore, we analyzed the three types of significant MRI findings.At one hour after ABI, type I was Grade 0 in 0 of 14 patients, Grade 1 in 8, Grade 2 in 2, and Grade 3 in 4. Type II was seen in 9 of the 14 cases and type III in 8. After twelve weeks, all cases of type I were Grade 0, no type II cases were evident, and type III was seen in 11 cases. Injecting autologous blood into surrounding TMJ tissues is an important factor in ABI. Minimally invasive treatment for habitual TMJ dislocation using ABI around the TMJ capsule appears to represent a very effective and safe treatment.     

Arthroscopic cauterization of retrodiscal tissue as a successful minimal invasive therapy in habitual temporomandibular joint luxation

Habitual temporomandibular joint (TMJ) luxation is a serious condition for the patient, and is often managed by extensive open joint surgery. Arthroscopic eminoplasty is an alternative, but this technique could also cause concomitant damage to the articular surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects and side effects of arthroscopic electrocautery of retrodiscal tissues in habitual TMJ luxation. All patients with habitual TMJ luxations who needed surgical management from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2009 in the authors’ institution in The Netherlands, were included in this study. All patients were primarily treated with arthroscopic electrocautery. Pre- and postoperative evaluation parameters were: TMJ luxations, maximum mouth opening, translatory capacity, pain and joint noises. Sixteen patients with habitual luxation were treated with arthroscopic electrocautery. Patient reluxation occurred in one. None of the patients had joint pain or mobility restrictions. The overall success rate was 95%. After 86 months there was a high success rate for this therapy. No other morbidity was seen, in contrast with open joint surgery or using sclerosing agents. The authors conclude that arthroscopic eletrocautery of retrodiscal tissues is a highly successful minimal invasive therapy in habitual TMJ luxation without side effects.     

Arthrocentesis followed by intra-articular autologous blood injection for the treatment of recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is an excessive forward movement of the condyle beyond the articular eminence with complete separation of the articular surfaces and fixation in that position. This study was conducted to assess autologous blood injection to the TMJ for the treatment of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation. Fifteen patients with bilateral chronic recurrent condylar dislocation were included in the study. Bilateral TMJ arthrocentesis was performed on each patient, followed by the injection of 2 ml of autologous blood into the superior joint compartment and 1 ml onto the outer surface of the joint capsule. Preoperative and postoperative assessment included a thorough history and physical examination to determine the maximal mouth opening, presence of pain and sounds, frequency of luxation, recurrence rate, and presence of facial nerve paralysis. Eighty percent of the subjects (12 patients) had a successful outcome with no further episodes of dislocation and required no further treatment at their 1-year follow-up, whereas three patients had recurrent dislocation as early as 2 weeks after treatment. Autologous blood injection is a safe, simple, and cost-effective treatment for chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation.     

Treatment of chronic recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint with injection of autologous blood alone,intermaxillary fixation alone,or both together: a prospective,randomised, controlled clinical trial

Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous blood injection in the treatment of chronic recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in a prospective randomised controlled clinical study. Forty-eight patients (11 men and 37 women) with chronic recurrent dislocation of the TMJ were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 equally sized groups. Patients in the first group were treated with injection of autologous blood (ABI) alone into the superior joint space and the pericapsular tissues. Those in the second group were treated with intramaxillary fixation (IMF) alone for 4 weeks, and those in the third group were treated with ABI and IMF for 4 weeks. Interincisal distance, digital panoramic radiograph, incidence of recurrent dislocation, and pain in the TMJ were assessed postoperatively at 2 weeks and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The mean (SD) reduction in interincisal distance in the group treated with both techniques was 11.0 (1.9), which was significantly higher than in either the group treated with ABI, which was 8.5 (2.4) or IMF, which was 9.1 (2.1). The results in the ABI group and the IMF group did not differ significantly. The combined group showed the biggest decrease. The ABI alone group had the most recurrences (n = 8, which were treated by repeated injections with no recurrence after the third). The IMF alone group had only 3 and there were none in the combined group. We conclude that ABI is a simple and safe technique for the treatment of dislocation of the TMJ in the outpatient clinic. Recurrence can be overcome by multiple injections. However, the best clinical results are given by a combination of ABI and IMF.     

Investigation of an autologous blood treatment strategy for temporomandibular joint hypermobility in a pig model

Many different surgical and non-surgical techniques are used for the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) hypermobility. One of these methods is autologous blood injection into the TMJ. The fate of the autologous blood used for treatment of recurring condylar dislocation is still not completely understood. The authors used 12 pigs (Sus scrota f. domestica) as a model species for autologous blood delivery into the TMJ. Blood injection was followed by histopathological analysis at different times after treatment (1 h, 1, 2 and 4 weeks). Samples were examined by magnetic resonance imaging, macroscopic and histological methods. The deposition of the remaining blood was observed in the form of clots in the distal parts of the upper joint cavity 1 h and 1 week after treatment. 2 weeks after treatment, small blood clots were still apparent in the distal part of the upper joint cavity. 4 weeks after surgery, no remnants of blood, changes or adhesions were apparent inside the TMJ. No morphological or histological changes were observed in the TMJ after the injection of autologous blood suggesting another mechanism is involved in the hypermobility treatment.     

The effect of physiotherapy on post-temporomandibular joint surgery patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of physiotherapy on rehabilitation of patients who had temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery. The treatment group consisted of 22 post-surgical patients who were treated with physiotherapy, and the non-treatment group consisted of 22 post-surgical patients who received no physiotherapy. The assessment tools were made using visual analogue scale (VAS) and craniomandibular index (CMI) which consisted of dysfunction index (DI) and palpation index (PI). All patients received follow-up for 7 months. The subjects were measured three times; before surgery, 6 weeks after surgery and 7 months after surgery. On the 6 week post-surgery assessment, DI and total CMI scores of the treatment group were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the non-treatment group. On the assessment performed 7 months after surgery, all variables were significantly lower (P < 0.05) for the treatment group compared with those of the non-treatment group. The findings of the study indicate that physiotherapy has a positive effect in relieving pain and restoring TMJ function after surgery.     

自体血注射治疗复发性颞下颌关节脱位的临床观察

对19例复发性颞下颌关节脱位患者行关节腔和囊周组织自体血注射治疗。1年后随诊,16例无关节脱位复发,有效率为84.2%。也没有观察到TMJ骨质破坏和关节强直的现象。自体血注射治疗复发性颞下颌关节脱位是一种简单、安全、经济、有效的微创治疗方法。     

Histological evaluation of the changes in temporomandibular joint capsule and retrodiscal ligaments following autologous blood injection

IntroductionIn recent years injection of autologous blood into the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been reintroduced as a treatment of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation. The effects of this treatment on components of the TMJ is not fully understood. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effects of autologous blood on TMJ capsule and the retrodiscal ligament.Material and methodsA total of 16 healthy adult country bred pig were used in this study. Autologous blood were injected into the upper joint space (4 ml) and around the capsule of TMJ unilaterally (1 ml). This procedure was then repeated on the opposite side only by using 5 ml of 0.9% saline. TMJ capsules and retrodiscal ligaments were examined four weeks following the injections.ResultsHistological examination of TMJs injected with autologous blood revealed fibrotic changes in 81.25% of the retrodiscal ligaments and 56.25% of the capsular areas. Whilst no changes were seen in the retrodiscal ligaments nor in the capsules of TMJs injected with saline alone.ConclusionThere is little published clinical data on the use of autologous blood injection and as such the mechanism of action is still unclear. The rate of induction of fibrosis within the retrodiscal ligaments in this study were similar to previously reported studies and case series. However, further studies to evaluate the mechanism of this safe and simple technique are needed.     

Clinical evaluation of arthroscopic eminoplasty for habitual dislocation of the temporomandibular joint: comparative study with conventional open eminectomy

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the clinical courses of patients who underwent arthroscopic eminoplasty and conventional open eminectomy for habitual dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). STUDY DESIGN: Arthroscopic eminoplasty was performed by using Segami's method in 24 joints in 13 patients (arthroscopic group) with habitual dislocation of the TMJ, while conventional open eminectomy was performed by using Myrhaug's method in 18 joints in 11 patients (open group). Clinical factors were retrospectively compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The operation time per joint was, on average, 14 minutes shorter in the arthroscopic group (77 minutes versus 63 minutes), and the average blood loss was less in the arthroscopic group (2 g versus 15 g). During the follow-up period (mean, 41 months), dislocation recurred in 5 TMJs (28%) in the open group and in 6 TMJs (25%) in the arthroscopic group. No major postoperative complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: In treating patients with habitual dislocation of the TMJ, the use of arthroscopic eminoplasty produces clinical outcomes that are as effective as those obtained with the use of conventional open eminectomy.     

糖皮质激素对关节腔灌洗治疗关节盘不可复性前移位疗效的影响

目的探讨关节腔灌洗后加糖皮质激素注射对治疗关节盘不可复性前移位的短期、长期疗效以及髁突骨质影像改变的影响。方法按照随机原则将90例颞下颌关节盘不可复性前移位患者分为对照组（44例）和试验组（46例）,对照组在关节腔灌洗后只注入生理盐水,试验组在关节腔灌洗后注入生理盐水与醋酸曲安奈德的混合液。治疗后3~4周（短期）和6个月（长期）复查,采用疼痛自评视觉模拟尺和Fricton颞下颌关节指数评价临床疗效,影像学评价髁突骨质的改变。对有疼痛主诉的患者同时记录治疗后1周每天睡前疼痛分值。结果1）治疗后1周,试验组疼痛减轻更显著（P<0.05）。2）2组患者治疗前后的临床体征和疼痛均有统计学差异（P<0.001）,2种治疗方法均能有效改善症状和体征,但2组之间各项指标的比较均无统计学差异。3）治疗后大多数患者的髁突骨质没有明显的变化。结论除炎症疼痛明显者外,关节腔灌洗治疗关节盘不可复性前移位不必再加激素注射。     

小针刀联合运动疗法治疗颞下颌关节盘不可复性前移位的效果评价

目的 评价小针刀联合运动疗法治疗颞下颌关节盘不可复性前移位的临床疗效。方法 选取32 例颞下颌关节盘不可复性前移位患者,随机分为实验组（16例）和对照组（16例）,2组患者均接受健康指导、手法复位、运动训练,实验组同时给予小针刀治疗。治疗前和治疗后3、6个月,比较分析2组患者疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）、最大开口度（maximum mouth opening, MMO）、Fricton颞下颌关节紊乱指数;MRI检查治疗后3、6个月时2组患者的颞下颌关节盘-髁关系。采用SPSS 19.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果 对照组治疗前平均MMO为 25.95 mm,治疗结束后增大到 38.71 mm,3 个月和 6 个月复诊时平均MMO分别为38.94和38.94 mm;实验组治疗前平均MMO为 26.3 mm,联合治疗结束后增大到41.06 mm,3 个月和 6 个月复诊时分别为41.04和41.19 mm。对照组16例患者治疗前VAS为 3.93,治疗后降为1.60,3个月、6个月复诊时分别降为1.18、0.62;实验组联合治疗前VAS为4.063,治疗后降为0.80,3个月、6个月复诊时分别降为0.375、0.25。治疗后3个月和6个月比较,2组患者Fricton颞下颌关节紊乱指数明显改善,治疗前、后及2组间治疗效果有显著差异（P<0.05）。MRI检查提示,2组患者治疗前均诊断为不可复性关节盘前移位。3个月时,对照组16例患者中,6例为可复性关节盘前移位;6个月时,3例患者复发为不可复性关节盘前移位。实验组患者复位后3个月复查时有5例为可复性关节盘前移位,6个月时不可复性关节盘前移位患者为2例。经统计学分析,2组患者颞下颌关节盘-髁关系比治疗前均显著改善（P<0.05）,治疗后2组间治疗效果无显著差异（P>0.05）。结论 小针刀联合运动疗法较单纯运动疗法治疗颞下颌关节盘不可复性前移位效果更理想。     

Comparison of two physiotherapy programmes for rehabilitation after temporomandibular joint arthroscopy

The purpose of this study was to compare two physiotherapy programmes for rehabilitation after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy. The medical files of 137 consecutive patients diagnosed with closed lock and treated by arthroscopic lysis and lavage were analyzed retrospectively. Sixty-eight patients were rehabilitated with gradually increasing range of motion self-exercises (gradual programme) and 69 patients were rehabilitated with immediate full range of motion self-exercises (immediate programme). The outcome variables were maximum mouth opening (MMO) and pain (on a visual analogue scale). The postoperative measurements taken at 1 month, 6 months, and last follow-up examination available (mean of 10 months postoperative) were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The results showed significantly better MMO and pain outcomes for the immediate group than for the gradual group at the 1-month and 6-month postoperative evaluations. The results of the two groups were comparable at the last follow-up examination available. It is concluded that after arthroscopic treatment of closed lock of the TMJ, a physiotherapy programme consisting of immediate postoperative full range of motion mobilizations achieves better results (in terms of pain and mouth opening) than a physiotherapy programme consisting of gradual and controlled increases in range of motion.     

Efficacy of temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis with and without injection of sodium hyaluronate in treatment of internal derangements.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of arthrocentesis with and without injection of sodium hyaluronate (SH) into the upper joint space in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one TMJs in 5 males and 26 females aged 14 to 53 years comprised the study material. The patients' complaints were limited mouth opening, TMJ pain and tenderness, and joint noises during function. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups in which only arthrocentesis was performed in 1 group and arthrocentesis plus intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate was performed in the other group. Both groups contained patients with disc displacement with reduction and with closed lock. Clinical evaluation of the patients was done before the procedure, immediately after the procedure, on postoperative day 1, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. Intensity of TMJ pain, jaw function, and clicking sounds in the TMJ were assessed using visual analog scales. Maximal mouth opening and lateral jaw movements also were recorded at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: Both techniques increased maximal mouth opening, lateral movements, and function, while reducing TMJ pain and noise. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients benefitted from both techniques, arthrocentesis with injection of SH seemed to be superior to arthrocentesis alone.     

Analysis of post-treatment electromyographs in patients with non-reducing disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint

The purpose of this study was to clarify the electromyographic property of chewing movement before and after treatment in patients with non-reducing disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Twenty patients who were diagnosed with unilateral non-reducing disc displacement of the TMJ were treated by pumping and injection of sodium hyaluronate into the joint. Chewing movement in these patients was evaluated by electromyography (EMG) at the initial visit and at mean 19-month follow-up and the results were compared. Chewing movement in 23 normal controls were also examined. Duration of contraction, cycle time and integrated value at the initial visit which were different from those in the controls without TMJ dysfunction tended to be at the control level mean 19 months after treatment of pumping and injection of sodium hyaluronate into the joint in patients with non-reducing disc displacement of the TMJ. Electromyography appeared to be a method of documenting the chewing movement which was impaired at initial visit improved after treatment in patients with non-reducing disc displacement of the TMJ.     

Dextrose prolotherapy for pain and dysfunction of the TMJ reducible disc displacement: A randomized,double-blind clinical study

To assess the efficacy of dextrose prolotherapy on the clinical signs and symptoms of patients having disc displacement with reduction (DDWR).This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study included thirty patients suffering from bilateral DDWR. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. After induction of local anesthesia, each joint was injected in two sites; one in the superior joint space and the other in the retrodiscal tissue, using 25% dextrose solution in group I and normal saline in group II. Pain intensity, maximal interincisal opening (MIO), and joint sounds (JS) were evaluated preoperatively, 1 week after each injection, and 3 months and 6 months after the last injection.Patients in group I showed significant improvement in pain and MIO, and higher satisfaction with treatment than patients in group II. Compared to saline injection, dextrose injection resulted in an improvement in JS but without significant difference within and between groups.Intra-articular injection of 25% dextrose is effective in the treatment of pain and dysfunction of TMJ DDWR as shown by significant improvement in pain and MIO and patient satisfaction. The technique is simple, easy to do, safe and should be adopted whenever appropriate.     

Clinical application of sclerosing agent injection in treating habitual dislocation of temporomandibular joint]

Based on the experimental study, small amount of sclerosing agent was injected to the site outside the joint and below the ridge of TMJ on 105 cases for the treatment of habitual dislocation of TMJ. All of the cases were followed-up for more than 2 years and it was found that the cure rate reached 89 percent, including one case who was followed-up for 19 years free from recurrence. This method is suggested as it is simple to perform and acceptable to the patients. It has to be mentioned, however, that this injection was not so effective for those with cerebrovascular disease associated with habitual dislocation of TMJ.     

Biochemical studies of blood serum use for diagnostics and efficacy of treatment evaluation of TMJ pain dysfunction

Study of biochemical indices of blood serum in patients with the pain disfunction of temporomandibular joint syndrome was performed. Analysis of biochemical studies of blood serum revealed the essential increase of adenozintriphosphate (ATPh) level on 17.5%, histamin--on 51.7%, stress hormones: adrenalin--on 76.9%, cortizol--on 51.4% in patients with the syndrome of pain disfunction of TMJ in comparison with the control group. Biochemical studies of blood revealed the more marked lowering of the level of histamin, adrenalin, cortizol in blood serum of patients after the treatment of alternative methods than after pharmaco- and physiotherapy. the high informative level of the studying of ATPh, histamin, kortisol of blood's serum for diagnostics and evaluation of the efficiency of treatment of the pain disfunction of temporomandibular joint syndrome was proved.     

透明质酸钠关节下腔注射治疗颞下颌关节盘前移位的疗效分析

目的：探讨透明质酸钠治疗颞下颌关节盘前移位的临床疗效。方法：50例患者临床表现与核磁共振成像检查确诊为颞下颌关节盘前移位（可复性或不可复性）,进行关节下腔灌洗及透明质酸钠注射治疗.观察分析治疗前、治疗1、2、3次和治疗后3个月临床疗效和Helkimo指数分析。结果：治疗1、2、3次、治疗后3个月与治疗前相比较,临床疗效及Helkimo指数差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,治疗3次与治疗后3个月差异无统计学意义。结论：应用透明质酸钠关节腔注射治疗颞下颌关节盘前移位具有良好的效果,治疗效果稳定。     

单纯透明质酸注射治疗对颞下颌关节功能和结构的影响

目的：利用MRI评价颞下颌关节功能和结构在透明质酸治疗前后的变化。方法：选取经过颞下颌关节门诊治疗的TMJ结构紊乱患者23例行单纯关节上腔透明质酸钠注射治疗。23例患者中,男性3例,女性20例,年龄16~58岁,平均年龄27.8岁。利用MMO及VAS评价患者颞下颌关节功能治疗前后的变化;并对所有患者进行治疗后颞下颌关节MRI检查,评价颞下颌关节结构变化。结果：23例经HA治疗的患者,治疗前MMO 25.90、VAS5.78。治疗后MMO 35.12、VAS1.42,经统计学处理,有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。MRI检查显示治疗后23例患者中均未发现颞下颌关节盘复位。结论：单纯经关节上腔注射HA治疗颞下颌关节结构紊乱可有效改善患者功能,但对颞下颌关节结构无明显影响。     

Long-term results following miniplate eminoplasty for the treatment of recurrent dislocation and habitual luxation of the temporomandibular joint

Twenty patients with recurrent mandibular dislocation or habitual luxation of the temporomandibular joint who underwent miniplate eminoplasty between 1994 and 1999 are presented. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 7 years. Clinical examination showed no evidence of recurrent dislocation. No significant reduction of normal mouth opening was found one year postoperatively. The pain level, self-estimated by the patients on a scale from 0 to 10, decreased significantly from 4.1 preoperatively to 1.2 one year postoperatively. In seven patients fractures of the miniplates occurred 3 to 7 years after eminioplasty (two bilateral fractures, five unilateral fractures). Due to the high incidence of plate fractures miniplate eminoplasty cannot be recommended as the surgical treatment of choice for recurrent dislocation or habitual luxation of the mandible, although the recurrence rate is low and pain is reduced considerably.